Edmonton – Pagolac – eTown’s Fave Pho
Another installment of ESR Around the World brings us to the exotic city of… Edmonton!
Tonight was cold. I’m talking -17°C but feels like -26°C cold. Perfect weather for a hot bowl of Vietnamese Pho. What better place to go than Pagolac in Edmonton’s lovely and totally crime-free Chinatown? Pagolac’s been here since I was a little kid (I used to call it “the place with the funny cow head logo“). It’s often packed and is an Edmonton favorite.
Generally speaking, Edmonton’s Oriental restaurants are rubbish compared to those of Vancouver’s. The depth, breadth, and quality of Edmonton’s Chinese, Japanese, and Korean food is embarrassing when compared to Vancouver’s. Taiwanese? No such thing in Edmonton.
However, Vietnamese restaurants are an exception. Edmonton’s got some great Pho joints. Pagolac is at the top of the list for most Edmontonians, but it’s arguable as there are some other greats. Andree over at ugonnaeatthat.com certainly agrees with me. I’ve yet to find a Vietnamese restaurant in Vancouver that rivals the best in Edmonton. If you know of any good ones, do let us know in the comments.
Enough ranting. Let’s go into Pagolac.
The decor is absolutely horrible. This place has been around since the 80s and it shows! The faux-wood paneling, carpet, tables, and chairs are probably the same ones they had on opening night.
And don’t get me started on their awkward entrance door. That thing violates all sorts of fire regulations.
The interior has been drab for decades, but people still keep coming back? Why? Great Vietnamese food!
I especially like their Pho. Tonight, I got a Large #28: Pho with beef tendon and sliced beef. At $9.95, it’s a lot more expensive than it used to be. Darn. But the great taste is still there.
The broth, which is the most important part of Pho, is savory, smooth, and delicious. The noodles are soft yet chewy. Pagolac doesn’t skimp out either as they put a lot of noodles, meat, and veggies in each bowl. I hate Vietnamese places that skimp on noodles and leave you hungry before the cheque even arrives.
Pagolac’s service has always been good and tonight was no exception. The food arrived a few minutes after we ordered. I look forward to sitting on these same ugly chairs and scarfing down the same great Pho the next time I come back to Edmonton.
Its good they have the loony cheese cow cartoon in the window with the words “Licensed” on the side, cause some may wonder when looking at the interior…hehe, j/k.
Sounds like my kinda place.
The nicest restaurants have the most ‘unique’ decor, probably because of the savings made from not decorating the place. Pho sounds fabulous now, it’s freezing over here!
OMG… my bf and I just relocated to Vancouver from Edmonton and we can NOT find a half decent place for Pho! So sad :(
Pagolac is ‘ok’ for Pho, we prefer the Bun… or even the grilled meats, which you wrap yourself, in rice paper…
If in Edmonton, we only go one place for Pho… Thai Binh Duong… located behind The Brick in Chinatown… we miss it :( Their old ‘sister’ restaurant Thai Binh is good but out of the way…
And this is a major secret… the BEST place for Vietnamese Spring Rolls is Thanh Thanh (The Oriental Noodle House) kiddie corner from The Brick in Chinatown… I’ve been going there since I was 9 and to this day and now, I still CRAVE it…
And TOTALLY agree on the lack of decent Vietnamese restaurants here… what’s going on??
InstyleO,
Which Vietnamese places have you tried? I recommend Le Do, Song Huong, and My Chau. Phnom Penh is Cambodian-Vietnamese and one of my favourite restuarants in Vancouver.
All the good ones are on the East Side…there are no good Vietnamese restuarants on the West Side.
Thanks G :)
I’ve tried a few along Kingsway, but cannot remember the names of them…
I will try the places you’ve recommended :)
THANKS AGAIN :)